A high powered delegation of the Gauteng Provincial Government has arrived in the People’s Republic of China ahead of Premier Nomvula Mokonyane’ s visit to that country where she is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the provincial government of Chongqing.
The Gauteng delegation arrived in China yesterday (Monday) and Premier Mokonyane is expected to arrive there later today.
Premier Mokonyane’ s delegation include, among others, top government officials and Executive Mayors from Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.
The Gauteng Government is hoping to learn from China as South Africa plans to roll-out massive infrastructure projects in line with the priorities of the National Government as outlined by President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Province Address.
She is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday with the Mayor of Chongqing Municipal Government, Huang Qifan.
Gauteng Head for the Department of Economic Development, Khulu Radebe said the trip to China was about concluding the agreement between Gauteng and Chongqing.
“As a developing economy, Gauteng Province is hoping to learn a lot from Chongqing. They are leaders in the manufacturing sector,” said Radebe.
Radebe said the MoU is intended to boost Gauteng’s economic infrastructure, green economy and skills transfer amongst others.
“We are also hoping to attract more Chinese investors to Gauteng. As soon as Premier Mokonyane signs the MoU, residents of Gauteng can look forward to projects that will create jobs and boost Gauteng’s growth to maintain the province’s status as an economic hub of South Africa,” he said.
Tshwane Mayor Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who is also part of the delegation, said as mayors of Gauteng Metros, they were grateful that the Premier invited them to be part of this partnership.
“This partnership is significant in many levels. Our people’s lives will improve because after this partnership is sealed, we will see a massive roll-out of infrastructure projects.
“Already in Tshwane, we have a number of flagship projects in the pipeline including the construction of the Tshwane International Conference Centre and Rainbow Junction amongst others,” said Ramokgopa.
Premier Mokonyane is expected to visit Chongqing’s Urban Planning Gallery and a Rail Transit Manufacturing Company on Wednesday. She will also address the Chongqing-Gauteng Economic and Trade Seminar.
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